Downwards, everyone turned and rushed towards the cave.
Whoosh!
Inside the cave, dense fog billowed, obscuring vision.
"This is..."
Zhou Yan swept his gaze upwards and his heart rejoiced.
"Spiritual herbs..."
"Spiritual herbs!"
Zhou Yan's eyes glowed, his face flushed, and he was overjoyed.
Spiritual herbs contained strong spiritual energy.
A single ordinary spiritual herb was enough to help a martial artist advance two minor realms.
Not to mention, there were many spiritual herbs in this cave.
"Haha, I never thought I'd get my hands on a spiritual herb!"
Zhou Yan laughed heartily, excitement written all over his face.
Swish!
In the next instant, his figure flickered, and he lunged towards a spiritual herb.
Rumble!
However, as soon as he approached the spiritual herb, a vast and mighty force surged from all directions, crashing violently against his body.
Crack!
A crisp sound echoed as Zhou Yan's right arm bone shattered, and he let out a pained groan.
Immediately, he fell to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his face a mask of horror.
"Hiss, how can these spiritual herbs be so potent?"
Zhou Yan gasped, secretly feeling fortunate.
Fortunately, he had sensed something was wrong and retreated in time.
Otherwise, with his current strength, he wouldn't have been able to withstand it.
"It seems that not only spiritual talismans, but even spiritual herbs possess sentience!"
Zhou Yan murmured to himself.
As this thought arose, he became excited.
If the entire valley was filled with spiritual herbs,
As long as he collected them all, he would surely be able to exchange them for a large amount of resources and break through rapidly.
With this in mind, he could no longer sit still. He struggled to his feet and walked towards the spiritual herbs.
Soon, he found a Fire Lotus.
"Fire Lotus?"
Zhou Yan frowned.
The Fire Lotus was a sacred medicine for healing.
If refined into a pill, it could also accelerate the speed at which a martial apprentice broke through to become a martial warrior.
Alas, guarding the Fire Lotus was a ferocious scorpion.
"Little thing, this is a good item. I'll keep it to treat my mother's illness!"
Zhou Yan's eyes darted, and a plan formed in his mind.
Buzz!
In the next moment, he drew his sword, channeled the true essence within his body, and swung his sword at the scorpion.
Bang bang bang!
Almost simultaneously, Zhou Yan executed the Tiger Roar Fist style, attacking the scorpion.
"Roar!"
"Awoooo!"
As the fist wind howled, the scorpion was beaten back step by step, spitting black blood.
But it still refused to let go, clinging desperately to the Fire Lotus.
"Beast, let go of it, damn you!"
Seeing this, Zhou Yan was enraged.
Swish swish swish!
In the next moment, Zhou Yan's figure flickered, transforming into an afterimage, circling the scorpion ceaselessly.
"Ah..."
A piercing scream instantly resounded.
A wound nearly an inch deep was cut into the scorpion's abdomen, its venom spraying everywhere.
"Wicked creature, die!"
Seeing this, Zhou Yan's eyes gleamed, and he pounced like a leopard.
Clang!
However, at this very moment, a metallic clash suddenly sounded.
In the next instant, Commander Wang, wielding a long spear, thrust from the air.
Boom!
A terrifying aura of fierce malevolence swept over.
The long spear in Commander Wang's hand spewed forth, its sharpness like lightning, seemingly piercing the void, sending shivers down one's spine.
"What?"
Zhou Yan's expression changed drastically, and he retreated repeatedly.
Pfft!
In the next moment, the spear fell, piercing the scorpion's neck.
Bang!
Immense force erupted, and the scorpion's head exploded, its body separating from its head.
"Haha, Commander Wang is so mighty!"
"Indeed, Commander Wang is the true master of this place. That brat is courting death by daring to fight Commander Wang for spiritual herbs."
Witnessing this scene, the others in the cave became excited.
Commander Wang was the only martial warrior among their group.
Moreover, Commander Wang was generous and treated them exceptionally well.
Therefore, the group held him in high esteem.
"Little brother, are you alright?"
Commander Wang glanced at Zhou Yan, who had fallen, and asked with concern.
"Thank you, Commander Wang, for saving my life."
Zhou Yan was deeply grateful and quickly bowed in thanks.
"No need for pleasantries."
Commander Wang waved his hand and continued,
"This valley is fraught with danger. It's too risky for you to enter alone."
"This is the reward you deserve!"
With that, he took out a jade tablet and tossed it to Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan picked it up and saw that it was inscribed with the words "First-Class Knight."
"First-Class Knight?!"
Zhou Yan was stunned, somewhat surprised. "Did Commander Wang apply for this for me?"
"That's right!"
Commander Wang nodded and explained, "First-Class Knight is the highest honor in Nanyang County, and it comes with generous treatment."
"Little brother, you're new here and may not be aware, but every hundred years, the Martial Arts Hall of Nanyang County holds an assessment ceremony."
"And with your First-Class Knight badge, you can enter the Martial Arts Hall for cultivation without taking the test."
"What?"
Upon hearing Commander Wang's explanation, Zhou Yan's body trembled.
The First-Class Knight was so precious?
"Little brother, the assessment ceremony for the Martial Arts Hall is about to begin. I must take my leave now!"
Commander Wang cupped his hands and left in a hurry.
"Heh heh, this First-Class Knight badge is quite good!"
Zhou Yan chuckled, holding the badge in his hand.
"Kid, stop grinning like an idiot!"
At this moment, the black cat poked its head out, gave Zhou Yan a cold glance, and reprimanded,
"Hurry up and go. We're too close to the Martial Arts Hall, and we might be discovered. That would be troublesome!"
Although the black cat was only the size of a cub, its actual combat power was astonishing, even comparable to a martial warrior.
Moreover, it understood various demonic arts, making its combat strength even greater.
"Little Black, those are spiritual herbs. Should we pick them..."
Zhou Yan hesitated.
"Foolish. Are a few spiritual herbs worth our effort?"
The black cat glanced at Zhou Yan disdainfully and curled its lips, saying,
"The Martial Arts Hall is filled with countless treasures, far better than this trash. Hurry up and follow!"
After speaking, the black cat leaped forward, jumped beside the spiritual herbs, and began to dig with its claws.
Zhou Yan's heart leaped, and he quickly followed.
...
Half an incense stick later.
"Damn it, someone got here before us so quickly?"
A moment later, Zhou Yan gritted his teeth.
He had originally planned to take advantage of the chaos to launch a sneak attack.
But he never expected that others were hiding in the cave and had already harvested all the spiritual herbs.
"Hmph, once I obtain these spiritual herbs and my strength greatly increases, I'll make you regret it!"
Zhou Yan glared hatefully at the cave.
Whoosh!
In the next instant, Zhou Yan stomped on the ground and sprang up, wanting to chase after the thief and kill him.
However, before he could take a step.
Boom!
A terrifying wave of air suddenly erupted.
It was Commander Wang, who, after killing the scorpion, was attacking him again.
"Not good!"
Zhou Yan's expression changed slightly, and he rapidly retreated to dodge.
At the same time, his wrist flipped, and a dagger quietly appeared.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, and his face showed astonishment.
In his vision, the spiritual herb had vanished into thin air.
It was as if it had merged into the soil, leaving no trace.